Description

Crack Salad is a delightful and creamy dessert salad featuring a luscious combination of cream cheese, Cool Whip, and vanilla folded with fresh strawberries, complemented by a crunchy, buttery, brown sugar-coated pretzel and pecan mix. This treat offers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and crunchy textures, making it an irresistible crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Crunchy Topping

1 cup pretzels, chopped
½ cup pecans, chopped
¾ cup brown sugar
¾ cup melted butter

Creamy Base

8 oz (1 package) cream cheese, softened
½ cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 (8 oz) tub Cool Whip, thawed

Fruit

2–3 cups strawberries, diced

Instructions

Prepare Crunchy Topping: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped pretzels, chopped pecans, brown sugar, and melted butter. Stir well to coat all ingredients evenly. Spread this mixture onto a parchment-lined, rimmed baking sheet in an even layer. Bake for 7-9 minutes, stirring once halfway through to ensure even browning. Remove from oven and let it cool completely to develop the crunchy texture.
Make Creamy Base: In a separate mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the sugar and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy. Carefully fold in the thawed Cool Whip, blending gently until fully combined and creamy. Set this mixture aside.
Combine and Serve: Once the crunchy pretzel-pecan topping has cooled completely, gently fold it into the creamy base along with the diced strawberries. Mix everything gently to maintain the crunch and avoid breaking the strawberries. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

Make sure to let the crunchy topping cool completely before folding it into the creamy base to maintain its crisp texture.
For best results, use fresh, ripe strawberries for a sweet and juicy flavor contrast.
You can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds if preferred.
This salad is best served immediately but can be refrigerated for up to 2 hours; stirring gently before serving to recombine.
Adjust sugar quantities based on the sweetness of your strawberries or your personal taste.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Category: Salad/Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Crack Salad, Strawberry Salad, Cream Cheese Salad, Dessert Salad, Pretzel Salad, Sweet Salad, Cool Whip Salad